Ok---for those who have a month or so like me until you cruise, how do you go about passing the time--besides spending an hour or so at work on this message board! I need to do something to make the next month fly by!

I had a similar question to this one on the practical advice boards a few weeks ago, and got lots of good suggestions!

Some from the list I've made include:

clean out your fridge for items that will go bad during your cruise
dig up the tulip bulbs that will have stopped flowering by the time you leave
measure your bags to make sure they fit airline regulations
if you're taking a digital camera - empty the memory card in advance!
vacuum your car(s)
get your oil changed if it's due
make your master packing list
make your master shopping list of stuff to buy prior to the cruise
get your hair trimmed/colored/whatver
get your nails/toes done if necessary
get men's dress shirts pressed and laundered for formal night
pay all the bills that will be due while you're away
start using Crest whitestrips 2 weeks before your trip
make 2 copies of all your docs (passports, cruise docs, itineraries).
the day before: clean like the Queen was coming to visit!
get your mail delivery stopped by the post office, and have them deliver it 2 days after your return (since your first day back will be laundry day, and you won't want to mess with sorting a week's worth of mail!)

I have 18 more days until my cruise and I know what your are talking about. I am having a hard time concentrating at work. All I want to do is read cruise boards and keep reading info about the ship I am going on an the islands it will stop at.

I have to admit I have been screwing up at work lately. My mind is just not on anything except going away!!!!!

I am glad I am with good company. I thought I was the only one who was obsessed
with cruising. I quit smoking a year ago and now I fell like I am going through withdraw again. Just anxous for the trip!!!!!!!

I know the feeling..... I've got 130 days to go - and I"m definitely obsessed. I'm sure the people I work with will be glad to see me go !! I spend my evening hours reading boards, reviews, and info on the ports.

And I've also had a number of dreams.... the farthest that my dreams have taken me is up the gangplank. to the checkin counter (I'm not sure if they even have a gangplank) ... one of these days (nights) - I expect I'll make it all the way onboard and the trip will begin

Don't wish the time away to much--your cruise will be over before you know it. I was they same way as all of you and now I am in depression back at work---wish I was still cruising.....................it went way to fast.

Joyce, by the time you reach the gangplank--nowadays it's more like a jetway--you will have already checked in. The check in process is what causes the long lines in the terminal.

I also spent 10 months dreaming about my first cruise. And every cruise thereafter, I dream intensely about the cruise immedately after booking, the last few weeks before the event, and frequently in the meantime. Experiencing the first cruise only makes future cruise dreams more intense.

But I'm not obssessed; I'm possessed by the soul of my first cruise ship, Sensation.
That's why my wife and I are going back to her.

I may dwell on the land, but I live at sea!

Steve

Sensation 2/03 I disembarked, but never really left the ship.
Enchantment 9/03 Just had to go back.
Inspiration 3/04 Just have to go back again, and again, and again...
Sensation 04/05 The vessel made me do it!

booked about 38 days before cruise date. when not cleaning or cooking I sit in front of here read the message boards and play POGO games all day long and then hit the bingo halls at night. So far it's worked pretty good because time is just flying by!!!!

I have 52 days til I set sail and last night had my first dream, well, nightmare. I dremed that I forgot my 3 formal dresses. now, I'm 21 and to me formal nights are a big deal because my boyfriend refused to go to my senior prom with me. But he does know that formal nights are being treated as "prom" night. Thats why I think it's the worst thing that could happen! theres no way I'm gonna miss my second chance at prom with him.

Jennifervail- I like how you reward yourself with time on the message board, but to me, I will think I have been on for 10 mins but realize its been an hour! when I first found this site, I was on from 10pm-5am, didnt get tired at all! only reason I knew what time it was is cause when I looked at the TV I saw that Full House was just starting on Nick at Night! I think in a way these boards make time fly super fast but then again, makes it go slow cause your doing nothing but thinking about the cruise!

if you havn't checked it out, check out cruisecritic.com they have great message boards. my fave is the cruise fashion, you get tips on everything!!!!

Yup...all this sounds familiar to me, too....and our next cruise isn't until August! (But we're already talking about choosing a date for a 2005 cruise)...

I don't know if any of you get the Travel Channel, but check it out...every once in a while they have programs featuring cruises....and the other day they had a program on vacation spots, and included Belize, which is one of the stops on our August itinerary.

I don't know if that really helps to while away the waiting time, or wehter it just feeds the addiction!

I think someone should start a "Cruising Channel" with programs just about cruising, cruise ships, ports of call, etc.....there are so many ships, places, etc., and cruisers are just about as loyal as Elvis fans, so it would have an automatic audience base!